Succulents aren’t a family or genus of plants but a descriptive category for various plants that share the same characteristics.
The word “succulent” describes any plant with thick, fleshy tissues adapted to water storage enough to be temporarily independent of an external water supply. These plants often have waxy leaves to retard evaporation and some have stomata that open at night and close by day since cooler night temperatures mean less loss of water. Stomata are openings that take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen and water vapor. The leaves also may have a waxy white powdery coating (Forina epicuticular wax) that acts as a natural sunscreen.
This wide definition can include tubers and bulbs that sprout before expected rainfall comes, but is mostly used to describe cacti, euphorbias (like poinsettias), orchids and Crassulaceae (such as Kalanchoes).
Succulents are common as house plants since they are adapted to the lower humidity of living indoors. Since over-watering and under-watering are the two most common ways house plants die, growing succulents helps indoor gardeners by giving plants a better chance of survival if we are forgetful.
For the next few months, we will have articles on succulents we Master Gardeners have grown that have somehow survived the cat knocking the plant to the floor; cold spells in a north-facing, single-paned window and sporadic watering. Plants don’t really like to live with us, but some are forgiving and a few relish the attention. So when you can’t garden outside, enjoy an indoor garden, starting with the easiest of roommates, the succulents.
The Kalanchoes
Kalanchoes are a Genus of the plant Family Crassulaceae. They are easy to grow and make some of the prettiest and most interesting of container plants. Many provide long lasting blooms. Some are fuzzy, covered with fine “hairs” like panda plants (K. tomentosa). Some have leaves that turn red when slightly stressed, as in hot or cold weather. Most propagate easily and all, as succulents, are tolerant of under-watering. Most are natives of Madagascar or tropical Africa, so these are container plants to bring inside when temperatures drop below 45 degrees. They need loose, well-draining soil and a water-soluble fertilizer every few weeks while actively growing. Most prefer dappled shade on the patio in summer and bright light in a window or greenhouse in winter. Here are four that I have growing now:
Kalanchoe luciae, known as the flapjack or paddle plant. This plant divides itself, so I have never tried to propagate it. The large (4” x 4 ½”) rounded leaves are a light green with a reddish margin that expands to cover most of the leaf when I put it in a space that gets several hours of sun in the summer. If I keep it on the partially shaded patio, it remains green. It blooms in late summer with a long spike with insignificant white flowers. The plant putting out the blossoms then dies.
Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri, known as donkey ears or mule ears plant. This plant produces little plantlets at the end of the 3” wide, 10” long leaves. The plant gets one to two feet high. The plantlets have arial roots, making them easy to propagate. The young leaves are gray green that, with age, loose the grayness and develop rust-colored splotches. These leaves too turn redder with stress.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana are the florist flowers sold when blooming at Christmas or Valentine’s Day. With red, coral, pink, white, orange or yellow flowers, these are the most common Kalanchoes. They are propagated by planting the leaves which will grow roots from the stems easily. Florists will force the blooms. Left on their own, mine bloom in late winter to early spring.
I also grow Kalanchoe bryophyllums (delagoensis), the infamous “Mother of Thousands/Millions” that propagates whether I want it to or not, into every pot that comes into contact with it. These gray-green leaves with rust splotches have serrated edges. At every point on the leaf margin, there grows a little plantlet. These put out aerial roots and, when jostled, fall off. They very quickly root themselves. It is annoying to find these plants happily sharing space with other plants…before overtaking them. But the older plants do make up for their litters by putting out a mass of blossoms in the winter. These blooms form a chandelier of red blooms that last a month or more. This plant can get up to three feet tall.
by Marj McClung, ECMG